This week, my son went to an art and science class Monday morning which he loved! I’m a little sad he won’t continue it next month, but then again, he’s ecstatic for the Nature program he’ll be starting! He’ll get to run in the woods and learn all about animals, plants, ocean, streams, survival skills, and more, it’s so his thing! After his class we played at a friend’s house for a few hours. Then went home for a bit before his Karate class.
Tuesday I taught an art class at the DLC, which both my kids participated in. Working with clay, it was big hit! Every seat was filled and everyone had a great time making coil pots and animals! Then they had two hours to play and eat lunch before Family Spanish class. It was so wonderful to watch all the kids, ranging in age from two to twelve, playing together. The older ones helped the younger, they worked well together building a fort and all played in it with no arguing or fighting. It’s not always the case, but this day, everyone was just getting along so well! No parents were butting in to their business, they were just free to work it all out on their own. It was awesome to watch!
After Spanish we rushed home to put my daughter down for a nap, and then when my husband got home, my son was off to karate class again. Later this month we’ll have Ancient History just before Spanish and next month, no Spanish, and I won’t be teaching art in the morning. Remember the school I had wanted him to go to that moved away and I was so upset?? Well, my favorite teacher from there started a class at her home, in town, so starting next month, he will be going there Tues mornings! Yay! It all worked out in the end! I’m still planning on Ancient History afterward, but if it’s too much, he doesn’t have to stay in it. Plus I want him to have some energy left for Karate. He needs to go at least twice a week and I know he’ll be exhausted Mondays!
Wednesday was a “Not Back To School” Fair at a Harvey West Park, a huge, beautiful park in town. We were there from the start, 11am, and didn’t leave till about 1:00pm. I hadn’t planned on staying quite so long, but we were having too much fun! There were demonstrations from tons of vendors (businesses who’s classes can be paid for with school funds) of Ocean Grove Charter School (the school my son is enrolled in, it’s a homeschool charter). We watched ballet, martial arts, and fencing, and wandered around to the booths where there were other demonstrations and things to play with, like lentil science kits, mini solar cars, art projects, etc. Plus there are some great climbing trees at that park, so my son was up in the trees every chance he got! My husband was with us, so it was great to have some family fun together! Afterwards we went to Costco and then home to just relax the rest of the day.
Normally on a Wed we have field trips or park days with other homeschoolers. In the evening the kids will be in Awanas, starting at the end of this month. It’s a wonderful youth club at church where they sing, play group games, do crafts, and learn bible stories.
Thursday I had to work at our church all morning. I work in childcare a few days a month, and while I’m taking care of my class, my kids get to go to their classes and play with other kids, do crafts, and have fun at the same time! Afterward we had a picnic lunch and then my son played while my daughter napped. Then we went to karate again. We went three times this week because he’s testing today, Friday, for his Orange belt in pre-karate!
When I don’t work at church, Thursday’s will be our stay home day. A day to hang out, work on projects, and get things done at home that have been neglected. That is, when we’re not pulled into irresistible field trips, classes at the DLC, and other activities that come up with friends that we just can’t pass up! I’m going to try to keep us home that day, though, except the occasional Mothersong, toddler/baby music class for my daughter to enjoy in the morning. My son brings books or drawing stuff, but since she’s dragged around to all his classes, it’s good for him to do something just for her. Sometimes he participates with us, too.
Friday- today we’re going to Gizdich ranch for a 45 min tour including apple picking! I’m tired this morning and not wanting to go anywhere, my daughter has been climbing out of her crib so I finally let her sleep in the bunk bed and it was a long night trying to get her to stay in bed! But my kids are rearing to go, so I had best get a move on! I’m sure it will be a blast, and would like some good apples! Maybe I’ll make a pie. Later tonight we’ll go to my son’s karate testing/promotion night!
Fridays are almost always field trip days. My plan is to have two field trips a month and the other two Friday’s in between, we’ll go to the nursing home with The Bridge of Hope Organization and visit, sing hymns, etc with our beautiful elders. We went once last month and the kids brought lots of smiles! I’m going to try to make it a priority even if we have to miss some great field trips.
This is what our week has been and what our future schedule looks like for the moment! Why do they call it homeschooling? We’re never home! I think World Learning as a better title, since we’re out in our world learning rather than in a classroom, for the most part. I can’t say we’re typical homeschoolers, as all homeschool familes are so different. Some stay home much more and don’t take so many classes, if any, some have even more classes going on. Some do workbooks and curriculum all morning, but that doesn’t work for us right now. I’m sure it will be ever changing and evolving, but so far it’s been wonderful and we’ve only just started! I’m so excited for this “school” year!
Very informative indeed. You sure make it all sound fun, but I can see it takes a lot of energy!
It is a lot of fun! But yes, a lot of energy if I want to feel that we're all learning! Sometimes hard to have enough confidence in myself that I'm doing enough, so I end up overdoing and wearing everyone out! Been trying not to fill up our time quite so much.
Glad you enjoyed it! I'd like to do another including what we learned, rather than just where we were
It was fun to read a week in your homeschooling lives. I've never really taken the time to map out our week…would be interesting to do. Thanks for the inspiration!